Long tentacle plate coral question.

[dnorton1978]

Has anybody had any long term success with these? I found a really nice one that is green. I want it my book says as long as lighting is sufficient and it is fed, they do well.


Any advice on what to feed and how to be successful? My tank is a month old now, and all levels are still zero. looking good.

 

[bleedingthought]

Hearing what I've heard, you'd be better off with fungia plates (short tentacles). JMO.

 

[SnowManSnow]

is there really a difference in long and short ones? besides the tenticles of course..... I've had a short tenticle plate coral for over 3 years now. Been happily in the bottom of my tank for quite a while. ONE thing to keep in mind with these guys (no matter what the guy at the LFS says) is that they will move about a little ... so don't put them next to somthing the wanna sting

B

 

[bleedingthought]

If my reading doesn't fail me, heliofungia sp. are much less hardy than fungia sp. I have an orange shorte tentacle plate and it's here to stay! :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I have never had long term success with the long tentacle. I've seen plenty of old short tentacle plates though.

 

[dnorton1978]

is there really a difference in long and short ones? besides the tenticles of course.....

B

I agree they are very similiar other than tentacles, atleast to the eye.

I really like this one it would make a great fit for the tank. In order to give it a chance at success what would you guys feed it? I was thinking shrimp pieces or something. Maybe chopped fish?

 

[SnowManSnow]

i feed my shorty shrimp the size of my pinky nail hahaha.

B

 

[bleedingthought]

Doni, here's a quote from Calfo that might help you understand why they usually perish:

Beautiful coral... but rather difficult to keep and extremely sensitive to damage and mishandling. They must be kept on fine (sugar-sized, oolitic) sand and favor deep mature sand beds (over 4" and over 1year old) to thrive if not survive! Never place them on rocks for any reason. They are also only satisfied by zooxanthellate symbiosis less than 80%... that means heavy feeding. Yet you cannot easily target feed them organismally (particles). Rather, they need nanoplankton which aquarists cannot readily supply... short of sand stirring of that deep mature DSB, etc. You begin to see the challenges of this coral and why many starve to death slowly in captivity after some months.

It's from wetwebmedia. Read here for more:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidae.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidcompfaqs.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fungiidfaq2.htm

Hope that helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Ditto what bleedingthought has said. The record for Heliofungia spp. is pretty dismal. Fungia spp. on the other hand are almost always hardy. It's a weird contrast considering how similar they look.

 

[Anonymous]

I had no luck with heliofungia either.

 

[dnorton1978]

Thanks guys. I am going to try even though it does contradict most of what I have read. Wish me well.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. I am going to try even though it does contradict most of what I have read. Wish me well.

Honestly Doni, why do you bother asking if you're just going to ignore what we tell you? :lol:

I've known several very good reefkeepers who have had them do nothing but wither away and die. The public aquarium I volunteer at can't even keep them alive. Until somebody figures out what the key is they're best left in the ocean.

 

[dnorton1978]

This may sound stupid, but here is my reasoning...


If I dont buy it (this one in particular) someone else will. That person may have a lot less expeirence than me. I feel maybe it has a better chance of survival with me than some other novice.

Perhaps a bad thought, but just my reasoning. I am going to feed regularly, and do all I can to keep it healthy. I have it placed in a great location, offering plenty of light, a moderate current, and a lovely sandy bottom.

At least it will die happy... LOL.. (only kidding)

 

[dnorton1978]

Thanks guys. I am going to try even though it does contradict most of what I have read. Wish me well.

Honestly Doni, why do you bother asking if you're just going to ignore what we tell you? :lol:

I've known several very good reefkeepers who have had them do nothing but wither away and die. The public aquarium I volunteer at can't even keep them alive. Until somebody figures out what the key is they're best left in the ocean.

You are a funny guy Matt. I know my explanation may not make sense to some, but I am devoted to make it thrive in my tank. I assume everyone else had the same feeling before there's died. I am willing to add maple syrup to my water if he looks bad. lol

 

[Len]

Noble reasoning, but by buying the specimen, you're telling your LFS or online vendor that there is a market for this product and they'll bring in more. Besides, it's wasted money

My bad experiences with Heliofungia is never nutrition related. They have tissue recession/necrosis from the bottom up most of the time. I think this genera is particularly sensitive to infections.

 

[bleedingthought]

If I dont buy it (this one in particular) someone else will. That person may have a lot less expeirence than me. I feel maybe it has a better chance of survival with me than some other novice.

But you don't have that much experience yourself, right? :?

 

[Len]

Doni's probably got a good deal more experience then your average LFS shopper, but I don't think experience is an issue with this species anyhow. They're just not very good choices for captive care, much like Goniopora.

 

[bleedingthought]

Agreed, Len. They also tear easily which can be a huge factor in survival when it comes to poor handling/collecting.

Experience also entails knowing when to stay away from certain species of fish and corals. :wink:

 

[dnorton1978]

Agreed, Len. They also tear easily which can be a huge factor in survival when it comes to poor handling/collecting.

Experience also entails knowing when to stay away from certain species of fish and corals. :wink:

Valid point. Sadly I am a bit of a rebble. If a lot of people have had no luck, I feel lucky. I know this is probably a bit corny, but I learn best my hands on.

Len,

Another valid point I did not think of. Telling the LFS or online vender there is a demand for it, buy purchasing it.


I probably will have the same outcome as everyone else, but at least I will be able to say first hand "those critters should stay in the ocean."

I do appreciate all the information everyone supplied. Please do not think that you info was not considered. I read all the post, and did some online searches. I did find a a couple, which were rare that had theirs for around a year, and noted some growth.


Thank you all again.

 

[bleedingthought]

A year is not long. But do let us know how it goes.